Monday Night Jazz Jam at Bar Louie.

On the first Monday of each month, Bar Louie (7335 W. Sand Lake Rd. Orlando, Fl) comes alive with some of Orlando’s top Musicians and Vocalists performing live Jazz. Some of the talent is Internationally known. The show features Joseph Jevanni on the Keys, Jacqueline Jones doing Vocals, Carl Lewis on the Sax, Doc on trumpet, Franklin on flute, Jerome on the drums and many more. the evening is hosted by Yvonne Coleman, MNJJ Co-Founder and Radio Personality Jazzy103.com

I arrived at around 7:30pm and the musicians were setting up the stage. Yvonne welcomed me warmly and suggested I sit in the area set aside for musicians between sets. Musicians and vocalist rotated throughout the night on stage. These Jane performers are a warm tightly knit community. Some singers including Jacqueline Jones are in their golden years but like a fine wine, age only enriches their musical spirit and love of life.

Carol Stein got on stage and performed on the keys. With one song, she didn’t know all the lyrics, so she made up lyrics on the fly to hilarious effect. She and Jacqueline are board members of the Steinway Piano Society for Under Privileged Youth. This charity supplies pianos and piano lessons to underprivileged children who might otherwise never be exposed to music. All tips went to the Steinway Piano Society. Each month money is raised for some local charity.

This sketch was actually sold to John Glassman Gardner even before it was created. John has a large hand bound sketchbook with rough  watercolor paper. He hires an artist to fill a spread and then hands it off to another artist. When it is filled, it will be quite a collectors item. I’m honored to be the second artist to contribute to the sketchbook. The first artist was Pekar, who painted a sexy green Medusa in 2010.

Monday Night Jazz Jam

Monday Night Jazz Jam was founded by the late pianist Billy Hall. This event has provided Great entertainment and supported numerous charities since 2008. The event happens on Monday nights at the New Mingo’s Restaurant, 100 South Eola Avenue Orlando FL, in Downtown Orlando.
Networking happens between 7 and 8pm and the Jam runs from 8 to 11pm. Several TOP Musicians and Vocalists including
Joseph Jevanni on the keys, Don Black on the Sax,
Jacqueline Jones-on vocals. The evening is hosted by Yvonne Coleman of Jazzy103.com

I arrived early and got a table near where the performers would set up.  The drums were piled in and set up. The drummer asked if he could borrow my table for a second. He rolled his drum sticks on the table I assume to get a feel for their balance. Yvonne welcomed me. When the music fired up, the place came alive.  I ordered a drink and settled into the sketch.

I sketched through the first set and finished up during the second set. Different musicians rotated in throughout the evening. There were plenty of singers who rotated in as well. There is an undeniable energy to these Monday night Jams. I didn’t stay until the end. Once the sketch was finished, I headed home.